Oksana and Sasha, 11, are among more than 100,000 Ukrainians who were welcomed into homes across the UK following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Jane Howard and Laurens Jolles, the who met them when they arrived in the UK, said it “seemed the natural thing to do”.
A bus operated by the United Nations takes Ukrainian refugees from Moldova to Romania.
Forced to act
Oksana and Sasha lived in a suburb of Kyiv, which was bombarded during the first few weeks of the war. When they arrived in the UK, they didn’t speak a word of English and had barely traveled outside of Ukraine.
Oksana said: “I was so scared to go. “I am very worried because I do not know the language and customs of this country. I don’t know how I can find a common language with complete strangers.”
But it turns out it’s “quite simple,” she said.
“Jane and Laurens met us at the airport and from the first minute we met, I knew I was one of those very nice people,” she said.
Laurens, who worked at the United Nations Refugee Agency, UNHCRfor 35 years, said he and Jane have a self-contained space to offer.
While Laurens’ work at UNHCR entails trying to convince governments to open their doors to refugees and make sure people support them, he says “now is on the other side and shows that it’s possible. Happening is something I’m happy to do.”
The town of Irpin, in the Kiev region, Ukraine.
‘priceless’ support
Once there, Oksana and Sasha face bureaucratic hurdles, including opening a bank account, finding a school, and signing up for a doctor.
Oksana said: “Jane and Laurens took their personal time to help us with everything. “Their support, both spiritual and material, is simply priceless.”
One of the biggest difficulties was finding work for Oksana, who previously worked as a teacher and human resources director.
The local job center may offer agricultural jobs that don’t require English, but Oksana advises Oksana to learn English instead to try and secure an office job.
“Oksana went from zero to being able to talk really well,” says Jane, adding that she has since found work as a kitchen assistant.
It takes a village
Due to limited public transportation in their countryside, Jane and Laurens provided their guests with bicycles and taught Oksana to drive a manual transmission car. Meanwhile, Sasha is thriving at the local village school.
“The school has taken advantage of every possibility by providing extra help through a teaching assistant,” says Jane. “They paid for his school uniform. He gets to eat at school for free. But, more than that, the children are very hospitable.”
Local support is also invaluable, they all agree. The library purchased children’s books in Ukrainian, toiletries packages were provided upon arrival of the refugees, and the local food bank also assisted.
Jane and Laurens received a grant from the UK government and local authorities, who did an initial background check on the landlord and checked everyone’s health.
Explore different cultures
The experience of living together has allowed each of them to learn more about their respective cultures.
Oksana introduced her hosts to Ukrainian dishes, from borshch to pelmeni along with what Jane describes as “great desserts”. Laurens observed among their Ukrainian guests “the fact that family is very important”, as well as “respect for elders”.
Oksana also traditionally embroiders to make jewelry such as earrings and necklaces with thread.
“For refugees, it is very important to stick with their culture,” says Jane. “When they arrived, they had nothing but two small backpacks with a sopilka, a Ukrainian folk instrument somewhat similar to the flute. That really makes you think. If you only have one backpack to pack, you still carry something that reminds you of home.”
lasting value
As a former United Nations employee, Jane and Laurens’ professional experience influenced their decision to accept refugees.
“You don’t lose your desire to change things or help people,” says Jane.
“I’ve seen how hard it is and how resilient people can be and how a little help from others can be helpful,” says Laurens.
‘Feeling of a big family’
Oksana now faces a difficult choice whether to return to Kiev to care for her elderly mother or stay in the UK. Whatever her decision is, Jane says she is always welcome back.
She said the experience for them was “extremely positive,” adding that “we don’t regret a single minute.”
As for Oksana, she said she was “extremely grateful to fate” for meeting Jane and Laurens, praising their “self-sacrifice, kindness, decency and sensitivity”.
“They gave us shelter, a cozy home, faith in the near future, protection and most importantly a sense of one big family where you will be understood, supported and helped. .”
Jane urged people to remember the refugees who “need your help all year round”.
Laurens warns against listening to “negative rhetoric”.
“Let us never forget that one day we may be refugees,” he said. “So treat people the way you want to be treated.”
Learn more about how the United Nations is helping Ukrainian refugees This.
